A pipeline explosion on Sunday at an illegal crude oil refinery site in Rumucholu village, Emoha local government area of Rivers State, killed at least 17 people, including a pregnant woman.

According to local sources, the explosion occurred when suspected illegal oil bunkerers attempted to establish an illegal refinery plant at the site.

Rufus Welekwe, the chief security officer (CSO) of the Ibaa community, who confirmed the event, urged the town's youths to engage in legitimate pursuits.

According to information obtained by media outlets, about two weeks ago, members of the 26 Support Engineer Regiment (SER-Nigerian Army Engineers) launched a massive, intensive operation to destroy any illegal refineries located along the right-of-way and its corridor. They worked in conjunction with a surveillance company called Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL).

A PINL representative who spoke with reporters at the scene of the incident said feedback from some residents revealed that the victims were burned due to the illegal refining at the location as the illegal business was hurriedly set up for fear of detection by the surveillance company.

The PINL representative stated that his team, together with certain stakeholders, went to the location.